Excavation Contractors in Upper St. Clair, PA

Excavation contractors in Upper St. Clair Township work on some of the larger residential lots in the South Hills. The township covers 9.8 square miles about 11 miles south of downtown, with 21,160 residents and 7,887 housing units in 2020, a density of about 2,150 per square mile. About 733 acres, roughly 9 percent of the township, are given to 14 parks and multiple fields. Homeowners here tend to invest in pools, patios, additions and landscape grading.

Mining history under a suburb

Upper St. Clair was home to several mines beginning in the late 19th century, before it became the suburb it is today. The Pittsburgh coal seam runs under much of the South Hills. For pools, deep basements and big fills, we ask what is known about old workings near your lot.

Early development along Washington Road

The first major residential development, by the Freehold Real Estate Company, went in along Washington Road in March 1913, near the streetcar line. Homes in that older section often have older laterals and settled grading; newer neighborhoods farther out have builder grading that has started to show its age.

Pools and hardscape

The most common projects are in-ground pool excavation, patio and outdoor kitchen bases, and the grading and drains that go with them. On sloped lots, a pool needs a level area cut into the hill, careful handling of spoil and a plan for runoff. We work from the pool or landscape designer's layout.

Working with designers

Many Upper St. Clair projects come with plans from a landscape architect, pool company or builder. We work from those drawings, confirm grades on site and point out anything that will not drain the way it is drawn. When the plan calls for a retaining wall, we coordinate excavation and backfill with the wall builder so drainage stone and pipe go in correctly.

Erosion control on bigger jobs

Larger disturbances in Allegheny County need an erosion and sediment control plan reviewed by the conservation district. For big pool and landscape projects, we plan silt fence, stabilized entrances and staged seeding.

Home rule and permits

The township was split from St. Clair Township in 1836 and has operated under a home rule charter since January 5, 1976. Grading, pool and demolition permits go through the township. Call (412) 528-5821 or

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